Nan Quanyou spread out the tablecloth while Nan Feng brought out another jar of wine.
Fortunately, her foresight led her to buy two jars of rice wine at once.
As soon as she lifted the lid, the room was filled with a delightful blend of food and wine aroma, stimulating a surge of appetite.
The father and daughter ate and drank until it was dark.
“Father, we’re lucky we turned down that clan chief yesterday, otherwise our New Year’s Eve dinner would’ve been terrible,” Nan Feng kept serving dishes to Nan Quanyou.
“You did the right thing, Fengfeng. I wouldn’t have had the courage to refuse him.”
“What’s there to fear? We offered him good food and wine, we owe nothing to their clan. If they come again, we will maintain our stance!” Nan Feng said.
“Right, let’s not speak of this dampener on New Year’s. Here, let’s have a toast,” his father replied.
…
On the other side of the village.
Brother Ye also prepared a feast. There was also a pot of wine on the table.
Brother Ye raised his wine glass and clinked it against Uncle Zhou’s: “Uncle, it’s New Year’s Eve. I wish you good health in the coming year.”
“And you too, may you be healthier and stronger, and it would be even better if you could bring a wife home,” Uncle Zhou replied.
“No rush, let’s talk about this later,” Brother Ye said lightly.
Uncle Zhou knew he didn’t want to talk more about it, so he stopped urging him. It was New Year’s Eve after all, being merry was the most important thing.
…
The Clan Chief’s residence.
The large clan had their New Year’s Eve dinner quite early, and now, everyone was gathered in the front hall around a heater.
Staying up late on New Year’s Eve was a custom. They planned to stay up till midnight, after which each household would light fireworks, and only then could they sleep.
It was pretty boring during this vigil, the clan chief started a game of chess with his younger brother, and Mrs. Wenxuan chatted with her sisters-in-law while mending shoe soles.
Their chat started with mundane neighborly affairs, and gradually turned to Mo Wenxuan’s marriage.
“Sister-in-law, Wenxuan will be sixteen after New Year. Shouldn’t you find him a concubine?” the third sister-in-law said.
“Indeed,” the second sister-in-law chimed in, “Although Wenxuan might marry a noble girl someday, having a house without offspring is the greatest filial impiety. It would be nice to have a concubine at home, bear a child or two, and then you can look forward to being a grandmother.”
As Mrs. Wenxuan mended the sole, she replied, “I have been considering it, but only if Wenxuan agrees. If he refuses to take a wife, there’s nothing I can do about it. I cannot leave the lady hanging, can I?”
Laughing with her hand covering her mouth, the second sister-in-law joked, “Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? Wenxuan is quite strapping now, just bring the lady home, push her into Wenxuan’s room, and see if he leaves her hanging. Maybe you’ll even have two grandchildren within three years.”
The third sister-in-law also laughed and echoed, “Exactly, there’s no bull that doesn’t work the field, just fields that haven’t been found. Besides, in regards to marriage, parental commands and the words of matchmakers are important. Whether Wenxuan agrees or not, he will have to marry. It’s just taking a concubine, not an official wife. The position of the official wife can be kept for his future noble woman, right?”
After a thought, Mrs. Wenxuan felt this made sense, “Well… I’ll discuss with Wenxuan’s father.”
The second sister-in-law asked again, “Do you have any suitable candidates in mind?”
Mrs. Wenxuan replied, “Not yet. I’ve been paying attention to the girls in our village and the neighboring ones, but there are very few who can match Wenxuan.”
At this, the third sister-in-law gave Mrs. Wenxuan a look when she wasn’t paying attention, thinking to herself, she really treats her son like a fairy.
Yet, she still smiled and said, “It’s just a concubine, isn’t it? As long as she’s passable.”
Mrs. Wenxuan instantly countered, “You can’t say that. What if we find an ugly one and she gives birth to a monster-like child? Who will I be able to complain to by then?”